Dan Skipper, the NFL’s “most eligible” offensive lineman, has made the initial 53-man roster. He was not one of the 2 players (Moseley, Martin) placed on the “designated-to-return” injured reserve list. Note that rosters are subject to change and he could be placed on I.R. at any time. Skipper is currently recovering from an injury suffered during the Lions 2nd preseason game.
MEDICAL HISTORY
August 17, 2024: Skipper appears to sprain both high ankles on the same play during the Lions 2nd preseason game vs the Chiefs.
Dan Skipper ankle injury video
-Bilateral high ankle sprains at the same time
-Watch both ankles get trapped in external rotation
-Finished drive then out for game
-Coach Campbell confirms minor ankle injury
-Should recover within 2-4wks pic.twitter.com/tfC3C4Ativ— Jimmy Liao MD | Detroit Lions Morning Rounds (@JimmyLiaoMD) August 18, 2024
Skipper got rolled up on, thus trapping both ankles in external rotation, which is the mechanism of a high ankle sprain. He finished the drive but was limping toward the end of the drive. He never returned to the game, although this may have been precautionary with it being a preseason game.
The ankle sprain is likely of mild severity based on the following:
-Video evidence did not show a severe deformity.
-Continued to play in the game.
-Dan Campbell after the game stated it was a “minor” ankle
SUSPECTED DIAGNOSIS
High ankle sprain – left, right, or both. Mild severity.
PROGNOSIS
-A mild high ankle can sideline a player for 2-4 weeks.
-For comparison, 2 offensive linemen for the Lions last year had similar injuries.
-Taylor Decker was hurt in week 1, finished the game, but missed the next 2 games.
I dug more into tape and found clear left high ankle sprain for #Lions Taylor Decker in 4q 10:11 final scoring drive
-Likely mild severity since played rest of game without obvious limitation.
-Could have sprains on both ankles (see prev video) https://t.co/a3kjm3IbOK pic.twitter.com/QwvcCbNmrH— Jimmy Liao MD | Detroit Lions Morning Rounds (@JimmyLiaoMD) September 14, 2023
-Jonah Jackson was hurt in Week 5, finished the game, but missed the next 3 games.
Jonah Jackson L high ankle sprain injury video
-Rolled up on, limps after
-Hurt 1st qtr, still played rest of game
-Similar to Taylor Decker game 1 who never left game but missed next 2
-With Vaitai available and Glasgow playing well, Jackson likely misses 1-2 games#OnePride pic.twitter.com/CsZnw5WXd9— Jimmy Liao MD | Detroit Lions Morning Rounds (@JimmyLiaoMD) October 10, 2023
OUTLOOK
Expect Skipper to be available within the first 2 weeks of the season. With the season opener being 3 weeks from the date of injury, there is a decent chance Skipper will be ready for game 1. As always, return to play depends on many factors, including the severity of the injury, ability to play through the injury, player importance to the team, and game importance. No long-term issues are expected.
